XXX Martini

XXX

As we bid adieu to Baron de Coubertin’s 30th games, nothing says triple X better than something hot and dirty! Be naughty and enjoy a stiff one tonight: take a crack at the Refined Chef’s filthy, fiery martini!

London Dry Gin

Brine from a jar of olives

Brine from a jar of hot pickled peppers

Blue cheese-stuffed olives*

In a mixing glass, filled with ice, add 2 parts London Dry Gin, 1 part olive brine, and ½ part hot pepper brine. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with blue cheese-stuffed olives.

*NB: You can purchase blue cheese-stuffed olives, but I prefer to make my own. I use large, pitted Spanish olives and then stuff them with a premium blue cheese, which I have rolled in crushed red pepper flakes. The creaminess of the blue cheese complements the saltiness of the brine in the cocktail, and the crushed red pepper adds a little extra spanking to the XXX. If it makes you feel better, come up with a safety word for you and your drinking partner, in case the heat is too much! Miss O.